Stephen McCullough

10 Followers
14 Following
17 Posts
Hi, I'm Stephen. I'm a software engineer, currently working for $BIG_CORP. I'm also but not limited to being a self confessed coffee snob, aspiring gardener, ever frustrated golfer and all round idiot.
🔗https://links.swm.cc
🙆he/him
📍Glenavy
I watched the new Napoleon film. Not a bad watch, not a great watch….. I think it’s been years since I saw a good film!
This day in 2000 - 24 years ago I started my first programming job… So that means that it is mine and @srushe 24th anniversary ❤️ 🎉 24 is white gold apparently so I have my hopes raised Steve!
I wrote a thing about 2023. Self indulgent, but sure.. sue me… https://www.swm.cc/articles/reflecting-on-2023
Reflecting on a 2023 of Learning and Growth - Articles - Stephen McCullough

As I sit down to reflect on the past year, I'm filled with a sense of gratitude and humility for all that 2023 has brought into my life. It was a year marked by learning, growth, and the beginning of new ventures, each step teaching me more about the industry and myself

A bit of a personal article this time - however sometimes it is good to share.. https://www.swm.cc/articles/burnout
The long road back from burnout - Articles - Stephen McCullough

Burnout: a term so often bandied about, yet seldom understood until you find yourself mired in its depths. I suffered from burnout in 2018, and it's only at the start of 2023 that I feel genuinely rejuvenated.

As someone currently delving deep into caching solutions, a thought struck me: Do we always need a dedicated caching service? 🤔

Considering PostgreSQL..

Pros:
1️⃣ One less service to maintain; cost-effective.
2️⃣ Familiar SQL interface for integration.

Of course, purpose-built solutions have merits, but sometimes using one tool for multiple jobs saves overhead and complexity.

What's your take? I think I will tinker and find out!!

#DevOps #PostgreSQL #Caching #TechThoughts

I have been pretty busy lately and decided to write a few things about them. If you are interested. A book review, a blog article on how I am juggling several projects and a project that is in three parts. Phew - even writing this is bringing me out in a sweat 😀

https://www.swm.cc/articles/balancing-projects

https://www.swm.cc/articles/how-to-work-with-anyone

https://www.swm.cc/projects/tvdb

https://www.swm.cc/projects/whatisonthetv

Juggling Multiple Projects: The Art of Balancing Time and Passion - Articles - Stephen McCullough

In software development, passion projects often pile up as swiftly as the frameworks and languages evolve. This article deals with how I balance my current set of projects and how I have found a way to keep momentum going.

I am rewatching Deadwood again. This time with my Mum. Great writing and performances. I have yet to see the film that ends the series though so am really looking forward to that.
I read a book lately on a recommendation from the great
@sz
- if you are interested I wrote my thoughts down on it. https://swm.cc/articles/will-it-make-the-boat-go-faster
Book Review: "Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?" - Articles - Stephen McCullough

Over the past few months, the book "Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?" has profoundly influenced my approach to both work and life. Recommended to me by a trusted mentor, Simon Whitaker, the book's central question has helped me cut through distractions and focus on what truly matters. From my role as a Cloud Architect at $BIG_CORP to personal responsibilities, this guiding principle has improved my efficiency and decision-making, giving life to my new mantra: "If it's not bad, it's good."

I write another thing if you are interested and this time it links to something other than localhost :) https://www.swm.cc/articles/project-current
Behind My 'Current' Page: Owning My Data and Building in Public - Articles - Stephen McCullough

Owning your data (at least to me) has moved from being a preference to an imperative. Given recent events like Google's penchant for shutting down apps and features on a whim, coupled with the current volatile state of Twitter, I've grown increasingly conscious of the importance of data ownership. This is why I've decided to take control of my personal data through the creation of my 'Current' page on swm.cc.

I wrote another thing, if you are interested… http://localhost:3001/articles/project-current